Category: Holidays with Seniors

NursePartners is proud to be a co-founder of the National Aging in Place Council of Philadelphia. Monthly we meet with other vetted service providers to determine how we can best support older adults as they age in place.

National Aging in Place Councils from across the country have collaborated to prioritize five tips we can offer families during the holiday season. The original post below has been supplemented by additional tips from NursePartners.

Tips for the Holidays from NAIPC

As the holiday season approaches, NAIPC members would like to offer seniors, caregivers and family members some health and safety tips for enjoying the holidays with loved ones.NAIPC members compiled a list of the five most common things that normally concern seniors, caregivers and their families. We recommend that all stakeholders remain vigilant to minimize the risks and effects of the issues below:

Isolation

Safety

Nutrition/Health

Finances

Transportation

1. Isolation. Many older adults who have raised families, or been a central figure in their community, are now at a place where those roles are no longer part of everyday life. This leaves them searching for where they fit in the bigger picture and this is especially true during the holidays. It’s important for them to feel their participation is valuable and meaningful. Here are some ways you can mitigate isolationism:

Social visits include busy and quiet environments. If your loved one is living with dementia, consider minimizing excessive noise and chaotic environments. Try driving around your neighborhood to look at the holiday lights.

In they are unable to stand in the kitchen, have them sit and decorate cookies. You are involving them in the process, but also preventing the activity from being exhausting or overwhelming.

Reduce lengthy travel for older adults during the holidays. Try suggesting that younger family members reunite in the home of the older adult. If not, plan a virtual visit.

Older adults have rich stories of past holidays; incorporate these into your traditions and watch how they feel honored and valued.

Decorate as an intergenerational affair. From the youngest to the oldest, memories will be built when everyone can participate.

2. Safety is a big concern, whether it be safety from the elements or safety from the unknown.

For those aging in place, whether living alone or with the assistance of a caregiver, winter weather can be treacherous. It’s important to ensure that walkways and driveways are cleared of snow and ice before venturing out. Hire someone to shovel pathways and salt sidewalks. Additionally, it is wise to keep a supply of candles, matches, food, extra blankets and medications at the ready. If the older adult is living with dementia, consider having someone stay with them during snow storms. Arrange for a groceries to be delivered before the storm, either online or by a relative or friend.

Only use flame-resistant decorations and keep power cords away from heavily trafficked areas. Do not leave lights unattended and always assist the older adult while they are decorating.

3. Nutrition/Health. It is always important to manage a sensible diet, but especially over the holiday season with the rich foods and drinks, that could potentially be detrimental to anyone with a risk of diabetes, heart disease or worse. Encourage those at risk to limit consumption, by taking smaller portions and balancing their diet, or avoid holiday treats altogether.

4. Finances. We all cope with the financial pressures that our society imposes on us as we approach the holiday season. We need presents, trees, decorations, festive meals, and constant entertainment. This can certainly deplete the funds for someone living on a budget.

Consider going to another relative’s house rather than cooking a meal yourself. If this is not an option, consider ordering a meal from somewhere like Boston Market.

Minimize holiday decorations by purchasing a table top tree. This would be more manageable and easier to dispose. Use holiday decorations that you already own.

Shop online for the best holiday deals to save on gifts for family members. Assist an older adult with this process!

5. Transportation. Whether it be local or long-distance travel, transportation becomes a larger issue around the holidays. Either it’s the inaccessibility of running errands or it’s waiting in long lines, navigating airports and security, claiming baggage and meeting up with relatives. Don’t subject an older adult to these inconveniences. Instead, celebrate your holidays by traveling to them.

The holidays are supposed to be full of joy, love and family. So, keep your family safe and happy this year.

Over the next few weeks we will spending time with those we might not get to see often. It is important to recognize that they will be putting their best face forward during these reunions. We should have an acute awareness of changes that have occurred since we last saw them.

The AARP, published a report “Chronic Conditions Among Older Americans” where they state: “More than 70 million Americans ages 50 and older suffer from at least one chronic condition.” This translates to 4 out of every 5 older adults.

Home care can be the perfect solution, but families worry about entrusting someone with the care of their loved one. When it comes to the health of your loved one, there is no room for uncertainty. In the interest of setting the record straight, we’ve identified four major myths surrounding home health care:

Myth No. 1: Caregivers aren’t trustworthy

Many families believe that an in-home care provider cannot provide the quality of care their loved one needs and deserves. But trained care providers are knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated to providing peace of mind for you and your family. All NursePartners’ care providers are bonded, screened, insured, and have clean backgrounds. You can rest assured that your loved one will be safe in our care. Each carepartner participates in a behavioral interview, competency testing, skill matching, and orientation to meet the needs of your loved one.

As a licensed home care agency, we specialize in providing highly individualized, quality care in one’s home or residence. We are a network of caring professionals who work with each family to enable safety, comfort, and happiness through home care services.

Myth 2: I will have no say in choosing a care provider.

Reputable agencies will work diligently to match care providers that fit the needs of your loved one. When you choose NursePartners as your home care provider, we begin by reviewing your loved one’s current level of health and wellness. After a care consultation and assessment, we’ll work to match an experienced carepartner to fit your preferences, including personality, communication, behavior styles, and skill set.

Myth 3: Home care will take away independence from my loved one.

Care at home can actually provide a new level of independence for your loved one. A professional care provider can help maintain a person’s safety and independence at home, from planning and preparing meals, to providing transport, and support around the house.

NursePartners strives for exceptional care, forming interactive, trusting relationships with our clients. By appreciating and understanding what is changing and what is still possible, we generate a plan of care that is positive and productive.

Myth 4: Home care is unaffordable.

Many people assume in-home care is more expensive than assisted living. However, assisted living communities in our area cost at least $5,500 a month. Once these communities determine that your loved one needs additional care, the daily rate will increase or they will be moved to another facility such as skilled nursing.

Home care is flexible because you choose the hours of care. Although we may suggest a certain level of services based on our experiences, it is ultimately up to you to decide what coverage is needed.

Many individuals, if given the choice, would choose to remain in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible. In-home care is an option for providing support, without moving them from their current residence. While there is a lot to navigate, it’s important for you and your family to know that many options exist. Our team is available to guide you through this process.

If you or a loved one is thinking about home care assistance, our team would love to help.Contact us today.

Sources

The prices of assisted living communities was compiled through a screening of over 20 assisted living communities in Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania and Camden and Burlington counties in New Jersey.

Loneliness and Isolation are Preventable

As family members and caretakers, we all have a role to play in supporting our loved ones. Loneliness and isolation is a problem for many seniors, but it’s particularly difficult for those struggling with dementia.

Loved ones suffering from dementia are more likely to experience loneliness for a number of reasons, including:

Loss of confidence after diagnosis

Mobility difficulties and other physical impairments

Lack of face-to-face interaction

Chronic illnesses that affect daily activities

Not remembering visits from friends (not perceiving social contact)

The Danger Loneliness Poses

Feelings of loneliness negatively affect both mental and physical health. Studies have found those without adequate social interaction are twice as likely to die prematurely. Isolation impairs immune function, leading to diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and other serious health conditions. Perceived loneliness also directly contributes to cognitive decline and puts seniors at risk for dementia. A care professional can reduce the feeling of isolation by offering companionship and access to services not regularly available.

Health Risk

Many times, individuals who lack daily social contact may be at increased risk of death because of health-related injuries. A care professional can provide the necessary support to help your loved one live healthy and happily.

Each NursePartners clinician possesses the knowledge and experience to provide care for your loved one. NursePartners works diligently to ensure carepartners promote health, safety, and comfort. The goal is to provide better support, helping them live fully in their moment.

Transportation Challenges

Adequate transportation can reduce the risk of isolation and loneliness. Having access to transportation allows seniors to feel a sense of community. It can provide the opportunity for your loved one to feel connected to a variety of programs, activities and events that will keep them physically and mentally stimulated.

NursePartners staff are insured privately, and will transport and accompany your loved one to care services, including grocery shopping, medical appointments and shopping trips.

Activities to Enjoy Together

A caregiver can be a viable solution to alleviate your loved one’s loneliness, by offering companionship and home care assistance. Even if you’re loved one isn’t housebound, a caregiver can provide companionship, from as little as a few hours a day to around the clock care.

Keeping loved ones stimulated and providing ability-based care and support cannot be overstated. Care partners can participate in many activities with your loved one, including:

Playing and listening to music

Preparing and cooking meals

Arts and crafts projects

Scrapbooking, and looking through photo albums

Crosswords, puzzles, cards, board games

Gardening, dancing, swimming

Our carepartners are dedicated to improving quality of life. NursePartners works diligently to ensure carepartners fill their time together with meaningful activities and positive interactions. By keeping a record of everything from mood behaviors to daily activities, we can begin to understand which factors contribute to positive moods and overall happiness. Our carepartners are trained in the Positive Approach to Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (GEMS™) and work with families to enable safety, comfort, and happiness through home-care services.

If your loved one need home care assistance or relief, our team would love to help.Contact us today.

Do you need to connect with your father this weekend? You still can when they have dementia.
Alzheimer’s, or another form of dementia, does not need to signal the end of your relationship. You can still find ways to connect with your father.

As you celebrate Father’s Day, here are some tips:

Talk less, do more: A prolonged conversation may just confuse your father. He may feel frustrated because he cannot hold his end of the dialogue. Try to engage him in activities instead. Ensure that your father in genuinely interested. If he is having difficulty understanding the activity, demonstrate how to do it or simplify the activity.

Enter his world. Choose the time when he feels best: Someone living with dementia lives in a small world. They find comfort in routine. They usually perform best during certain parts of the day. Plan to spend time with your father during his best moments.

Choose a comfortable environment: After you find the right activity and meet at the appropriate time, ensure that you are also in a comfortable environment. Do not let loud noises, bright lights, or other distractions divert attention away from your time together.

Put your agenda away, just enjoy the moments together: After carefully planning your day, do not be upset if it does not work out as planned! Sometimes your father might act in an unexpected way. Enter his world and try to make the best of that situation. Do not underestimate the importance of a hug, sharing a meal, or a walk around the park.

We use Teepa Snow’s positive physical approach™ to connect before providing care to our clients. As dementia progresses, it is important to focus on what an individual can still do, instead of focusing on what they cannot. Enjoy Father’s Day!

Do not over think your activities. Your father wants to feel needed. If he does not seem interested in the activities you plan, try asking him to help you around the house.

Music is one of the ways we communicate

Research is confirming an idea long held by those who work and care for dementia patients: music has the power to shift mood, manage stress, stimulate positive interactions, facilitate cognitive function and coordinate motor movements. It can provide a way to connect, even after verbal communication has become difficult.

This happens because rhythmic and other responses require little cognitive and mental processing. They are influenced by the motor center of the brain that responds directly to auditory rhythmic cues. A person’s ability to engage in music, particularly playing and singing, remains intact late into the disease process because these activities do not mandate cognitive functioning for success.

Many individuals with Alzheimer’s can learn to move better, remember more, and even regain speech through listening and playing music. By pairing it with everyday activities, your loved one can develop a routine that helps them recall memory, as well as working to improve cognitive ability over time.

Incorporating music into a treatment plan:

Use familiar songs to help soothe and take the edge off difficult moments. Make sure that the songs you select do not bring up bad memories and are not connected to sad events of the past.

Identify music that is familiar and enjoyable to your loved one. If possible, let them choose the music.

Compile a playlist of favorite recordings, which can be used for memory recall. Singing a familiar song together can offer a welcome distraction and help a person “snap out” of a repetitive action or behavior.

Encourage your loved one to move along to the music to develop a routine (clapping, dancing, playing).

Choose a source of music that isn’t interrupted by commercials, which can cause confusion (iTunes, YouTube channels, playlist building apps).

Song sheets or a karaoke player can allow your loved one to follow along and sing to old-time favorites.

You can use music to influence your loved one’s mood. A softer piece of music can help create a calm environment while a more upbeat song can uplift spirits.

Playing animated, happy songs in the morning can help with getting your loved one started.

My family’s relationship with NursePartners began in the summer of 2009. My mother, at the time, was hospitalized due to the congestive heart failure and diabetes conditions from which she suffered. My father was afflicted with Alzheimer’s and was not able to provide the level of support for my mother or himself as he previously was able before his diagnosis. On top of this, my parents both resided in Philadelphia while I, their only child, resided 3000 miles away in California. I was anxiety ridden and overwhelmed as the physical distance between myself and my parents limited how much I was able to monitor the situation hands on despite the several trips per year that I made to Philadelphia. The Director of the Assisted Living/Skilled Nursing residence where my parents resided suggested that I take advantage of the services that NursePartners had to offer. She stated that they came highly recommended and could provide a wide array of supportive services for my parents. In less than 24 hours, I was contacted by NursePartners. By the end of the conversation, I felt much less anxious. They immediately began providing services to my parents. The management and Certified Nursing Assistants at NursePartners have been invaluable. They are professional, kind, efficient, and they never fail to provide me with regular verbal and written updates. My mother, sadly, passed away in the spring of 2010. I know that the last year of her life was made much brighter and more comfortable by the presence of NursePartners. They continue to work with my father several times per week and even though his Alzheimer’s has continued to progress, the familiarity of their presence brings to him comfort as well as a sense of safety. I also cannot overstate how much NursePartners has provided me in the form of emotional support as I travel this difficult journey of caring for elderly parents as an only child. I now see them not only as service providers but also as extended family. I know that my mother felt the same way and that if my father was able to, he would concur